The Bowes Museum Launches Annual Pass

The Bowes Museum, the North’s Museum for Art, Fashion and Design, is replacing its current day pass with an annual pass for all visitors.

The pass will allow the pass holder unlimited visits for a period of twelve months from the date of purchase and is competitively priced at £14.00 for adults and £12.00 for concessions.

The Museum will be withdrawing its current day pass and six month pass offer, along with the complexity of the 10% donation option required to make its admissions eligible for gift aid.

The Museum is also introducing a charge for children five years old and over, who currently enter the Museum free of charge. However, great value family passes at £30.00 for two adults plus four children or £16.00 for one adult plus four children mean that entrance to the Museum remains good value for families.

Rachael Fletcher, the Marketing Manager at The Bowes Museum said: “We believe implementing an annual pass will benefit more local people, enabling them to visit the Museum more often to access the exciting programme of exhibitions and events.”

Jane Whittaker, Head of Collections said: “We are keen to see our family audiences grow. Introducing a charge for children aged 5 years and over will allow us to invest in a better family offer, and the introduction of family passes will allow families to visit more often to enjoy the Museum’s family activities and exhibitions. We will also now be allowing young people 14 years and over to visit the Museum unaccompanied by an adult.”

An annual pass allows the Museum to claim gift aid on admission charges without the need for a donation element, making the pricing structure less confusing. The changes to admissions will be introduced on 1 August 2017.